Blade sharpener



p 1966 A. J. ESOPl 3,271,906

BLADE SHARPENER Filed Feb. 13, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 u' I .1, Z N 6 f r b-35 2f 2/ 3/ INVENTOR Aida (lira/v mmi We;

ATTORNEYS p 66 A. J. ESOPI 3,271,906

BLADE SHARPENER Filed Feb. 13, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 BYMWQM 5% M53 ATTORNEYS Sept. 13, 1966 A. J. ESOPI BLADE SHARPENER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 13, 1964 FIG. I2

INVENTOR- ALDO J. ESOPI BY WM [4741;

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,271,906 BLADE SHARPENER Aldo J. Esopi, 604 N. Main St., RD. 2, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Filed Feb. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 344,679 Claims. (Cl. 51-102) This invention relates to sharpening devices, and is especially concerned with blade sharpeners.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a blade sharpener which is extremely simple to use, requiring a minimum of skill and effort, and wherein accurate and precise sharpening is achieved.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique sharpening device for blades, which is capable of sharpening a wide variety of blades, including ice skates, knives, scissors, and others.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a blade sharpener having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is extremely simple in construction, durable and reliable throughout a long useful life, and which can be economically manufactured for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view showing a blade sharpener constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, and adjusted for sharpening a knife blade, scissors or the like;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 33 of FIGURE 2, and illustrating the sharpening device in its position of adjustment for sharpening skate blades;

FIGURE 4 is a partial front elevational view taken generally along the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a rear perspective View of the carrier and blade-guide construction, in operating relationship with respect to a grinding wheel, and apart from the base;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the structure of FIGURE 5, partially broken away;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 77 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 88 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 10-10 of FIGURE 8;-

FIGURE 11 is a sectional elevational view similar to FIGURE 9, but showing a slightly modified embodiment of the instant invention; and

FIGURE 12 is a sectional elevational view similar to FIGURE 8, but showing another slightly modified embodiment of the instant invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, a sharpening device is there generally designated 20 and includes a generally fiat plate or base 21 which may be mounted on any suitable support (not shown) preferably in a generally horizontal disposition. Upstanding from the base, on opposite sides thereof, may be a pair of laterally spaced, aligned journal pedestals 22 and 23 rotatably supporting a generally horizontal shaft 24- extending between the ice pedestals over the base 2 1. The shaft may carry a grinding wheel 25 to mount the latter for axial rotation in a generally vertical plane. tIf desired, the periphery of the grinding wheel 25 may be dressed to assume an arcuate contour, as at 26; and, the shaft 24 may extend beyond one side of the base 21, as at 27, for connection to suitable drive means (not shown).

The base 21 may be formed with an elongate, through slot 30, extending forwardly and rearwardly of the base, left to right as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3. Further, the underside of the base 21, along the slot 30 may be recessed, as at 3-1 in FIGURE 2.

Seated on the base 21 may be a carrier, generally designated 3-3, which may be of upwardly facing, channel-like or U-shaped con-figuration, including a general horizontal bottom wall 34, and a pair of laterally spaced, facing side walls and 36 upstanding from opposite sides of the bottom wall. The carrier bottom wall may be formed with a through hole 37, and rearwardly thereof a through slot 38 of arcuate configuration having a center of curvature coincident with the hole 37. The carrier 33 is arranged such that the hole 37 is located over and in alignment with the slot 30 of base 21, and also such that the arcuate slot 38 crosses the lower slot 30. A pin or bolt 39 extends generally vertically through the hole 37 and slot 30, having a nut 40 nonrotatably received in the recess 31. An additional pin or bolt 41 depends through the intersecting regions of slots 38 and 30, having a nut 42 in the recess 31. Thus, upon loosening of the pins or fasteners 39 and 41, the carrier 33 is shiftable longitudinally along the slot 30 to any selected position of adjustment; and further, the angular position of adjustment of the carrier 30 is selectable by pivoting the latter about pin 39 to move slot 38 along pin 41. The pins or bolts 39 and 41, may, of course, be loosened and tightened as required, when adjusting the carrier position.

Mounted on the carrier 33-, on the forward side thereof, the right as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, are a pair of generally parallel, upstanding guide members or bars 45 and 46. The guide members 45 and 46- each include a lower rearwardlly extending portion, as at 47 and 48, respectively mounted on later-ally extending ways or rods 49 and 50. That is, the mounting ways or rods 49 and ex tend in parallelism, being respectively located forwardly and rearwardly, and have their opposite ends securely supported in carrier side walls 35 and 36. The lower guide-member portions 47 and 48 are slidable on the ways 49 and 50 for movement therealong in parallelism toward and away from each other.

In order to effect the desired relative movement of guide members 45 and 46, there is provided operating means generally designated 55. The operating means is best seen in FIGURES 6-, 9 and 10, and includes a rotary shaft 56 extending in parallelism with and between the ways 49 and 50', through the lower guidemember parts 47 and 48. The shaft or rod 56 may terminate at its opposite ends adjacent to and short of the carrier sides 35 and 36, being mounted for axial rotation by adjustable pivots '57 and 58 extending threadedly through respective carrier sides 35 and 36. That is, the pivots 57 and 58 are in axial alignment with each other and with the shaft 56, being externally threaded and threadedly engaged through respective carrier sides 35 and 36, with the inner pivot ends preferably tapered for bearing engagement in adjacent ends of the shaft. By this means, the shaft 56 is mounted for axial rotation, and also positionable longitudinally by adjustment of the pivots 5-7 and 58.

Fixedly circumposed about the shaft 56 are a pair of annular cam members 59 and 60, each having an oblique inner surface or cam face, as at 61 and 62, respectively. The cam faces 61 and 62 may extend obliquely with respect to the axis of shaft 5 6, defining angles equal and in opposite direction with respect to the shaft. The cam members 59 and 60 are fixed relative to the shaft 56 by any suitable means, say setscrews, or other. Hence, upon rotation of shaft 56, the cam members 59 and 60 are rotated with the shaft.

To facilitate rotation of shaft 56, an operating arm 63 may project radially from the shaft, and a torsion spring 64 may be coiled about the shaft 56 with its opposite ends anchored to the arm 63 and carrier 33 to urge rotation of the shaft in one direction, the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 7.

In FIGURES 5-10 it is seen that the operating means 55, including shaft 56 together with cams 59 and 60, all extend in spaced relation through the lower guide-member parts 47 and 48. Further, cam followers, such as pins 69 and 70 may project from respective guide-member parts 47 and 48 toward the shaft 56 on the inner sides of respective cam members 59 and 60 for engagement with respective cam surfaces 61 and 62. A coil compression spring 71 may be circumposed about the forward guideway 49 interposed between and having its opposite ends engaging respective guide-member parts 47 and 48 to urge the latter away from each other and maintain engagement between cam followers 69 and 70, and respective cam surfaces 61 and 62. Thus, the guide members 45 and 46 are resiliently urged outward away from each other by spring 71, such action being limited by engagement of followers 69 and 70 with cams 59 and 60. Further, upon rotation of operating means 55, as by swinging arm 63, the guide members 45 and 46 are caused to move toward and away from each other along the Ways 49 and 50, such movement being equal and opposite as determined by cam surfaces 61 and 62. As spring 64 is of greater strength than spring 71, release of arm 63 permits rotation of operating means 55 under the action of spring 64 to move the guide members 45 and 46 toward each other against the force of spring 71.

While the operating means 55 has been illustrated and described as of a rotary type, it is appreciated that other suitable operating means, such as reciprocable cam surfaces, may also be employed to effect the desired operation.

n the inner or facing sides of guide members 45 and 46 there are preferably provided suitable bearing means, such as balls 74 and 75. The balls 74 and 75 may advantageously be rotatable to minimize friction, as will appear hereinafter in greater detail, and each guide member is preferably provided with a sufficient number of balls to define a plane. In the illustrated embodiment, see FIGURE 8, there are shown a group of five bearing members or balls 75.

As best seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, there may advantageously be associated with the grinding Wheel 25 a dressing wheel 77, say mounted on an arm 78 upstanding from the base and rotatable relative thereto in a socket 79 mounted in the slot 30. The dressing wheel 77 is rotatable about its own axis, as by the pivotal mounting 80, and is further rotatable about the axis of socket 79by reason of the offset configuration of arm 78. In this manner, the grinding-Wheel periphery 26 is dressed in an arcuate configuration having a center of curvature in alignment with socket 79. Of course, socket 79 is adjustable along slot 30 for dressing wheel 25 as it wears.

In the condition shown in FIGURES 1(), wherein the carrier 33 is substantially aligned with the wheel 25, operation of the device is quickly and easily performed as follows. The operating arm 63 is swung to open or move the guide members 45 and 46 away from each other and permit insertion therebetween of a skate blade, or other article to be edge-ground. The arm 63 is released to permit closing movement of the guide members 45 and 46 toward each other with the skate blade therebetween. By proper location of the operating means 55 and its shaft 56, the guide members 45 and 46 close to accurately locate the skate blade, see blade 82 in FIGURE 6, for proper grinding action. It is then only necessary to move the blade 82 longitudinally in peripheral engagement with the rotating wheel 25, the blade being guided by the guide members 45 and 46. In order to accommodate skate blades of difierent thickness, no adjustment is necessary, as the guide members serve to automatically properly locate blades of all thicknesses. As the grinding wheel wears, it may be desirable to reposition the carrier 33, as by loosening of the fasteners 39 and 41 and movement of the carrier rearward toward the grinding wheel.

While the instant grinding device has been illustrated in conjunction with a generally vertical grinding wheel, it is appreciated that the grinding wheel may be generally horizontal, or rotatable about an axis in a vertical plane. By such arrangement a skate blade may be hollow-ground without the grinding-wheel periphery being formed. However, operation may remain the same.

If it is desired to grind knives, scissors, garden tools and other implements to achieve a sharp cutting edge, as by grinding the sides or face of a blade, this may be quickly and easily accomplished by the angular location of carrier 33 shown in FIGURE 1. In this condition the carrier 33 has been rotated to an oblique angle relative to the grinding wheel 25. This permits the guide members 45 and 46 to guide a blade 83, see FIGURES 1 and 2, with the blade in oblique or angulate relation with the wheel 25, so as to have a face of the blade ground by the wheel. Of course, this condition is quickly and easily eifected by swinging the carrier 33 about pin 39 to move slot 38 along pin 41.

In the slightly modified embodiment of FIGURE 11, the operating means is generally designated 55a and includes structure affording adjustab'ility to the spring 64. More particularly, the cam 59a, corresponding to the cam 59 of the first-described embodiment, is fixedly circumposed about the shaft 56 and may be provided on one end with an annular array of serrations or teeth 90. A collar or ring 91 is rotatably circurnposed about the shaft 56 and carries the raidiaflly outwardly projecting arm 63. The collar 91 is proximate to the cam 59a and provided on its adjacent side with an annular array of serrations or teeth 92 for selective interfitting engagement with the teeth 90. The spring 64 is cireumposed about the shaft 56, having one end anchored to the rod 49 and having its other end secured'to the arm 63, in the same manner as the previously described embodiment. Hence, the spring 64 exerts forces tending to move the arm 63 and collar 91 both rotationally and translationally toward the cam 59a to resiliently yieldably maintain the teeth and 92 in interfitting engagement.

Actuation of the operating means 55 by the operating arm 63 may be the same as described hereinbefore. However, adjustment of [force exerted by spring 64 may be made by rotating arm 63 and collar 91 relative to cam 59a for interfitting engagement of teeth 90 and 92 at a different angular relationship. For purposes of this adjustment by relative rotation of collar 91 with respect to cam 59a, the cam. may be provided with one or more formations or holes 93, into which a tool may be inserted for holding the cam fixed upon relative rotation of the collar.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 12, a sharpening device is there generally designated 20!; and includes a generally flat base or plate 21b which may be provided with an upstanding front lug 100. A carrier 33b may rest on the base 21b, being suitably mounted for forward and rearward movement on the base. To achieve such forward and rearward movement of the carrier 33b on the base 21b, and'fme adjustment thereof, a screw 101 may extend horizontally through the lug 100, having an unthreaded portion 102 rotatably journaled in the lug. On the forward end of the screw 101, forward of the lug 100, may be provided a knob 103; and, the knob and lug may be calibrated, if desired. The threaded portion 104 of screw 101 extends in threaded engagement into the carrier 3312 so as to move the latter forwardly and rearwardly upon rotation of the screw.

The guide member 46b may be substantially similar to the guide member 46 described hereinbefore, being movably mounted on laterally extending ways or rods 49b and 50b supported in the side walls of carrier 33b.

An operating mechanism 55b may be substantially the same as the operating mechanism 55 to efie-ct lateral movement of the guide members toward and away from each other. One of the upstanding guide members 46b may be provided with a pair of vertically spaced rearward extensions 106 and 107. The upper rearward extension 106 may be above the bearing means 7512, while the lower extension 107 may be below the latter bearing means. Carried on the upper and lower extensions 106 and 107 may be horizontally rotatable rollers 108 and 109. In use, a skate blade 82b may be engaged with the rollers 108 and 109, being rolled up and down therealong. Thus, the rollers provide limit means limiting the depth of cut taken by grinding wheel 25b. This depth of cut is adjusted by rotation of screw 101 to locate the limit means 108, v109 relative to the grinding wheel. This limit means obviates the need for developing a feel in exerting pressure against the grinding wheel.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a sharpening device which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, maintenance and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A blade sharpener comprising a rotary grinding wheel, a carrier, mounting means mounting said carrier for selected adjustment relative to said wheel, and bladeguide means carried by said carrier for movement therewith and adapted to guide a blade relative to said wheel, said guide means comprising a pair of facing spaced guide members mounted on said carrier for movement therewith and relative movement toward and away from each other, and operating means for effecting said relative movement, said operating means comprising cam means operatively associated with said guide members for elfecting said relative movement, and resilient means biasing said guide members toward each other.

2. A blade sharpener comp-rising a base, a rotary grinding wheel over said base, a carrier on said base, mounting means mounting said carrier on said base for movement toward and away from said grinding wheel, guide members upstanding from said carrier for movement therewith into and out of operating relationship with said wheel, said guide members being relatively movable toward and away from each other on said carrier for accommodating different-size blades, and operating means operatively connected to said. guide members for effecting said relative movement, said operating means comprising cam means operatively associated with said guide members to effect equal and opposite relative movement thereof.

3, A blade sharpener according to claim 1, said resilient means comprising a coil spring having one end anchored relative to said carrier and having its other end adjustably connected to said cam means, for selectively adjusting the biasing force of said resilient means.

4. A blade sharpener comprising a base, a rotary grinding wheel over said base, a carrier on said base, mounting means mounting said carrier on said base for movement toward and away from said grinding wheel, guide members upstanding from said carrier for movement therewith into and out of operating relationship with said wheel, said guide members being relatively movable toward and away from each other on said carrier for accommodating different-size blades, and operating means operatively connected to said guide members for effecting said relative movement, said operating means comprising constraining means operatively associated with said guide members to effect equal and opposite relative movement thereof.

5. A blade sharpener according to claim 4, in combination with additional mounting means mounting said constraining means for selective positioning relative to said carrier, to selectively position the location of said relative guide-member movement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,486,850 11/1949 Ives 51-102 2,638,720 5/1953 Hock 51102 ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner.

L. S. SELMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

4. A BLADE SHARPENER COMPRISING A BASE, A ROTARY GRINDING WHEEL OVER SAID BASE, A CARRIER ON SAID BASE, MOUNTING MEANS MOUNTING SAID CARRIER ON SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID GRINDING WHEEL, GUIDE MEMBERS UPSTANDING FROM SAID CARRIER FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH INTO AND OUT OF OPERATING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID WHEEL, SAID GUIDE MEMBERS BEING RELATIVELY MOVABLE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER ON SAID CARRIER FOR ACCOMMODATING DIFFERENT-SIZE BLADES, AND OPERATING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID GUIDE MEMBERS FOR EFFECTING SAID RELATIVE MOVEMENT, SAID OPERATING MEANS COMPRISING CONSTRAINING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID GUIDE MEMBERS TO EFFECT EQUAL AND OPPOSITE RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREOF. 